Lewis Edmondson sent to Crown Court on cocaine supply and dangerous driving charges

Lewis Edmondson has been sent to Southampton Crown Court after appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court charged with dangerous driving and possession with intent to supply cocaine. The 30-year-old light-heavyweight, who holds the British and WBA International Light Heavyweight titles, did not enter pleas and is due to appear again on August 14, according to The Southern Daily Echo.

Prosecutor Steven Woolfe told the magistrates that police pursued a black Range Rover on August 11, 2021, “which was driving dangerously and driving at speed” after it had completed a three-point turn outside a police station. The court heard the vehicle then “sped off down the road” and “rammed” a police car, as well as another car belonging to a member of the public.

Woolfe also alleged that just over 120 grams of cocaine, a Class A drug, was found in the vehicle. Edmondson, who lives in Southampton, was represented by Catherine Lickley, who told the court that no pleas would be entered at this stage.

The case was sent to Southampton Crown Court by magistrates. Edmondson was granted unconditional bail and was reminded to check in with his legal team before his next court appearance.

The court appearance comes only weeks after Edmondson recorded the biggest win of his professional career in his home city. On June 20 at St Mary’s Stadium, he beat Lyndon Arthur over 10 rounds for the vacant WBA international light-heavyweight title, with the contest scored 96-95, 97-93 and 96-94.

That win moved Edmondson into a stronger position at 175lbs, where he is ranked 13th by the WBA. Before facing Arthur, Edmondson had spoken about wanting major fights with Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith, with Arthur viewed as the immediate obstacle to those opportunities.

Edmondson boxed for England as an amateur and won youth honours including national titles and Three Nations success before turning professional in 2019. His domestic breakthrough came in October 2024, when he defeated Dan Azeez over 12 rounds to claim the vacant British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles, before defending the Commonwealth belt against previously unbeaten Oluwatosin Kejawa.

His career had also been affected by a hip injury, with a planned fight against Ezra Taylor cancelled last October. The immediate focus now shifts away from the ring and back to Southampton Crown Court, where the next stage of the criminal proceedings is scheduled for August 14.